Electric motorbikes offer hope for lower milk transport costs

Kenyan farmers could significantly reduce milk transportation costs by adopting locally assembled electric motorbikes and three-wheelers, as stakeholders push for affordable and sustainable solutions in the dairy value chain.

Richard Chesebeh, Managing Director of Lunghou Teketeke Group, says the company’s electric motorcycles can help farmers cut daily transportation expenses from Ksh.1,000 to about Ksh.200, freeing up resources for increased production.

Chesebeh said the e-mobility company is targeting rural farmers, who have largely been overlooked by electric mobility providers focused on urban transport.

“Our target clients are farmers because we want them to save costs in transporting milk from farms to collection centres and processing plants,” he said.

The company’s LHB1 electric motorbike can carry up to 500 kilogrammes, while its electric tricycles can transport farm produce, animal feeds and other supplies.

Chesebeh said the company also manufactures lithium iron phosphate batteries locally, allowing users to charge them at home or remove them for portable charging.

John Mutunga, Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock, said electric transport could help dairy farmers lower operating costs and improve the delivery of milk to cooling plants.

He urged cooperatives and organised farmer groups to consider adopting the technology, saying it would support efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and environmental pollution.

Mutunga also called on the government to consider tax incentives for locally assembled electric farm transport equipment to make the technology more affordable.

Camel milk producer Abdi Mohammed Adan, who was honoured by President Ruto as Kenya's Best Dairy Camel Milk Producer and Breeder Agriculture at the Food Systems Transformation Summit, said improved transport could help farmers expand production and invest in value addition by reducing the cost of moving milk to markets.

Adan welcomed government recognition of camel milk production, noting that the sector had experienced improved returns in recent years.

He called for further government support to help producers grow their businesses and explore value addition opportunities.

The appeal comes as the government expands investment in milk cooling infrastructure to improve milk handling and strengthen the dairy value chain.

Chesebeh said affordable electric transport would complement these investments by reducing the cost of moving milk from farms to collection centres.

The company is also converting fuel-powered motorcycles into electric bikes, offering farmers an alternative to replacing existing equipment.

The adoption of electric farm transport could help farmers improve earnings, cut operating costs and support Kenya’s transition to cleaner energy.